happy hour

American  

noun

• happy hours
  plural

1. a cocktail hour or longer period at a bar, during which drinks are served at reduced prices or with free snacks.

   happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m.

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happy hour British  

noun

1. a time, usually in the early evening, when some pubs or bars sell drinks at reduced prices

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happy hour Idioms  

1. A period in the late afternoon or early evening when a bar or lounge features drinks at reduced prices. For example, The hotel bar has a happy hour from five to seven every day. [1960s]

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• happy hours
  plural

Etymology

Origin of happy hour

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

happy hour

Getting asked out to an affordable happy hour where beers are $5 might actually be a bigger green flag for someone than a date at a fancy cocktail bar.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026

Come between 2 and 5 p.m. on weekdays for the happy hour, when half-shells go for $1.50 a pop.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 9, 2026

It’s been her gateway to new friendships, a walking group, brunches and even a regular happy hour.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 1, 2026

I understand that the Reconstruction Amendments might not feel like the most compelling discussion topic for happy hour.

From Slate ● Jul. 20, 2026

The adventures of Rainbow and her young mistress, Edith-Anne Pevington, had filled many a happy hour curled up on the window seat of Miss Mortimer’s office.

From "The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: Book I: The Mysterious Howling" by Maryrose Wood